The expression “one bad apple spoils the bunch” isn’t just something substitute teachers say about kids who misbehave in class — there’s some agricultural truth to it, too. And the same thing is true about strawberries. With apples, it has to do with ethylene gas, but with strawberries, it has to do with mold. 

Gray mold, or botrytis rot, is the number one cause of spoiled strawberries, and it spreads fast. You’ve probably experienced it for yourself. You bring home some gorgeous strawberries from the grocery store. You notice one that looks a little past its prime. You think nothing of it, and then — bam! — the next time you go for a little treat, half the bunch is bad. Because mold spores spread quickly, it’s important to toss berries as soon as they start to look bad; that way, you can save the rest. 

While it’s impossible to keep strawberries fresh forever, there are things you can do to stretch the shelf life of this famously fickle fruit. From vinegar soaks to hot water baths and beyond, here’s everything you can do to make the most of your strawberries. 

How to store strawberries you’ll eat within 1-2 days

Some fruits are just too good to let sit for very long, and perfectly ripe strawberries fall into that category. Whether you intend to eat them as a same-day snack or use them in a galette tomorrow, the countertop is the best place to store soon-to-be-used strawberries. 

While the refrigerator will slow down strawberry spoilage, it also dulls the flavor and smell of the strawberries. So, when you eat strawberries straight out of the fridge, you’re not getting the full experience. Room temperature strawberries will be as tasty as they possibly can be. But they won’t last more than a day or two on the counter. 

How to store strawberries you’ll eat within 1-2 weeks

Of course, not all of us can eat a pint (or more) of strawberries in just a few days. When you need a bit longer, storing strawberries in the fridge can help extend their lifespan for up to two weeks. Still, not all methods are created equally. Here’s how each common refrigerator storage method will impact a strawberry's shelf life.

In the original container

Grocery shopping can really take it out of you, so we get why it’s tempting to just toss strawberries right in the fridge, unwashed and in their original packaging, once you're home. Doing so will extend their shelf life to at least 5 days (which is more than just leaving them on the counter!). But if you want more life from your berries, there are better ways to store them. 

Unwashed in a single layer on paper towel, covered

Excess moisture provides an ideal environment for mold and bacteria to grow, which speeds up the strawberry spoilage process. Storing fresh, unwashed strawberries on a layer of paper towels in a container with a loose-fitting lid prevents moisture buildup. It absorbs any excess moisture that may accumulate as the strawberries sit. Plus, keeping strawberries unwashed until you’re ready to eat them is also helpful because it ensures no additional moisture is being introduced into the environment unnecessarily.

Storing them in a single layer rather than piled on top of each other means that if a strawberry develops mold, it’s less likely that it will spread to the others. Stored this way, your berries should stay fresh for 5-7 days.

Rinsed in water and vinegar

Although there’s no way to remove all the bacteria and microbes from the surface of fruits and vegetables, rinsing the berries in a solution of one part vinegar and three parts water can help. After you wash the strawberries in the vinegar solution, dry the strawberries off as well as possible. Using a colander or salad spinner lined with paper towels are the best ways to do this. Then, store them in a single layer on paper towels in a container with a loose fitting lid. This should keep them fresh for 10-14 days. 

Rinsed in hot water

Rinsing strawberries in cold water might not do much to get rid of bacteria or prevent mold, but rinsing in hot water (125°F for 30 seconds, to be exact) will help reduce bacteria and spores that can cause mold.

Just as with the above methods, this method is only worth it if you ensure the berries are extremely dry before storing them so that excess moisture doesn’t undo the work you put in. Do that, and they should be good for 10-14 days. 

How to store strawberries you’ll eat within 8-12 months

Buying strawberries in bulk during strawberry season, when they are ripe and plentiful, is always a good idea because strawberries freeze well, and freezing strawberries preserves their color and flavor. To freeze strawberries, remove their stems, rinse them, dry them thoroughly, and then lay them in a single layer on a parchment paper lined sheet tray and freeze them overnight. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe bag or storage container. According to the USDA, Frozen fruits are good indefinitely but frozen strawberries should be used within a year to ensure quality. 

Because freezing strawberries changes their texture, they shouldn’t  be eaten or used like fresh strawberries. Frozen strawberries are great in smoothies or in pies, cobblers, and galettes. 

What to do with extra strawberries

If you’ve found yourself with a strawberry bounty and are unsure what to do with all that goodness, here are a few creative ways to use them up before they go bad. 

• Strawberry jam. If you’ve got strawberries, you’re just some sugar, pectin, and a little lemon juice away from strawberry jam. If you want it to last for more than two weeks, you’ll need to properly can it otherwise you can store it in a jar or other lidded container in the fridge for up to 14 days.

• Strawberry pie. If you’ve got a lot of strawberries, make a strawberry pie. If you’ve some but not a lot, make a galette. Don’t be afraid to use store bought crust—it will still make great use of your peak season berries. 

• Strawberry shortcake. For an easy version of this beloved dessert, slice up your strawberries, and sprinkle with a table spoon of sugar, a pinch of salt, and a squeeze of lemon. Let them sit for half an hour or so and then pour them over a store bought angel food cake.  

What to do with strawberries that have gone bad

Have strawberries that are too far gone to freeze or transform into jam? Skip the garbage and recycle them with Mill. The Mill food recycler turns uneaten food into food grounds that can be used as chicken feed or as a soil amendment in your lawn or garden. It might not be as delicious as eating fresh strawberries, but it's better than having them end up in a landfill. 

Sources:

1. North Carolina Strawberry Association: “Major Strawberry Diseases.” April, 2016. https://ncstrawberry.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/MajorStrawberryDiseases11-08.pdf

2. Strawberry Plants: “8 Ways to Improve the Flavor of Fresh Strawberries.” April 8, 2024. https://strawberryplants.org/ways-to-improve-the-flavor-of-fresh-strawberries/

3. U.S. Department of Agriculture: “Freezing and Food Safety.” https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-and-food-safety